Even though the economy is not particularly strong, one must bear in mind that companies are still hiring people, and these are many avenues for one to find a job. I strongly recommend registering on Rozee.pk which is the most enriched job search site in Pakistan. Those, however, looking for jobs in Gulf are recommended to consider the website, Byat.

Getting an interview is only the first step towards getting a job. During the course of several years of voluntary work, I have noticed that a number of candidates get a job interview, but due to lack of preparation, they fail to get the job.

Thus, I have compiled a few tips for those readers who are struggling to find a job.

Make a list of companies that you would like to work for. Check the career section on their website. (Google alert is a good tool, use it)

Make a list of companies you have applied to with the respective dates and the job references.

Be prepared to write a follow-up letter.

Prepare a master CV and tweak it a bit for each application to reflect the values of the company you are applying to.

Research the company prior to going for an interview; visit their website, study their annual report, look at their hierarchical structure, and check relevant Linkedin profiles.

Dress professionally and appropriately for the position you are applying for -don’t overdress but don’t look informal.

If you are a student with no prior work history, make a list of your hobbies, clubs you belong to, or sports you’re involved in. Show that you have strengths.

Visit the company office a day prior to your interview to familiarize yourself with the location.

Employers want to hire productive, positive individuals. Be positive, but do not play with your words. Always speak positively of former employers and co-workers no matter why you left, even if you were fired from your last job.

Let the employer lead into any conversation about benefits. When discussing salary, always be flexible and avoid naming a specific salary.

Close the interview on a positive note. If the employer does not offer you a job on the spot or say when you will hear from them, ask what their time frame is for making a decision.

I recommend a brief thank you note to the interviewer.

Remember, the process of hiring has changed with the emergence of social media. Be ready to explore all the opportunities that come your way.

An institutional capacity building specialist who currently works as Deputy Country Director at Center of International Private Enterprise (www.cipe.org). He is qualified from the US Chamber of Commerce and blogs at hammadsiddiquiblog.com

More by this writer

After getting to the final round of numerous job interviews I just knew I had to alter my preparation. I was spending too much time on my qualifications and not enough on the behavioral side of the interview. After trawling the net for books and advice I came across ” The Complete Job Interview Preparation Course” DVD on Amazon. The change in my preparation was immediately noticeable both to myself and the interviewer as I am now gainfully employed in my chosen profession of finance, Highly RecommendedRecommend

Vijay

These days it’s best to start reading newspapers and approaching the companies directly. You don’t get much on the internet. Its mostly hyped by the online job sites. Recommend

Asad

point no. 21
To be honest if you want to secure job in Govt sector then you should have approach and recommendation of a high official otherwise you will be dumped no matter how education or work experience you have (For Pakistani’s only)Recommend

really nice tips….i specially liked the part whr u mentiond to shw ur strength and also to show your productivty. i think it can be in any area. mayb something which is of your intreset can benefit your company too Recommend

Mohammad Yasir

Thanks for this post which is very useful tool for newcomers. I always read your blogs in the end i always feel you always give free lot of things to others. I hope the returns for you be always positive from others.Recommend

Ikram Afridi

These are good tips for searching the jobs in the private sector. But now a days getting government and public sector jobs is the most difficult thing.

Very useful tips. I will tell my brother follow these instructions and I will share the results.Recommend

Huzaifa Shabbir Hussain

Ali Akbar, I agree with your comments for plagiarism but on the contrary you have overlooked the line where the blogger has mentioned that he has compiled the list for readers… So compilation means you are giving references from different source.. All in all this is a useful piece for the start ups who are really in search of a job!!Recommend

Sidra Khawaja

Very informative and supportive…. I have forwarded the link to my email contacts as majority of them are having the same flaws which they can take hold of and polish their interview skills accordingly….. thanksRecommend

Faryal Chaudhry

Absolutely wonderful post. I wish I had come across such valuable stuff at the start of my career some ten years back. I am into HR and I feel if young grads implement only 50% of what Mr Hammad wrote here,the job will be in their hands in a month.

Employers are looking for quality stuff; jobs are in the market. Keep writing good stuff. Please write on some specific topics like interview skills,CV writing,Cover Letters etc.New comers need it.

P.S: Ali Akbar, plagiarism is copycat/copy paste. Is it so? Writers in Pakistan are endangered species; let them breathe,dude. Appreciate that someone spent one or two hours on writing without any monetary reward ( I assume blog writers are not paid). Recommend

Ali Akbar

Hazaifa, my point is very clear. The article should have discussed the situation with relevance to Pakistan and not with context to career tips abroad. So what you are referring to over is that I can jot down some 5-6 pieces of articles together, ignore the basic fact that it matches the local audience’s preferences, submit it to Tribune and it will get published. On the contrary, I do not really understand if you are trying to support such piece of information published in the form of blog like the article above, or would you encourage some fresh piece that is quite original and reflects the actual situation in Pakistan. Also I fail to understand when the writer mentions Bayt for Middle East, unless he is aware of the job market situation over there. Why would Bayt prefer Pakistani candidates over India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Philippines? Should the writer justify his claim that mostly the jobs on Bayt for Middle East would need Arabic language/National as a preference, driving license of UAE, work permit and so on and so forth.
We all know the situation in Pakistan and how the hiring takes place. Please refer to the original article again and see how the references have been mentioned at the end of each tip. I believe some research and ground reality could have made this article more interesting than to sit on the notebook and assemble various pieces of articles together and credit it in your name. So convenient!Recommend

Hina Roudani

Thank you Tribune for giving such informative articles to youth. I am sharing the same with my community boys and girls studying in university. Google alert is a wonderful tool to stay updated.

Tribune,in a short time,you have achieved so much progress. Please bring more writers for youth.Recommend

http://www.facebook.com/AshrafChaudhrySalesTrainer Ashraf Chaudhry

Hats off to Hammad. Surgically precise, ruthlessly succinct, laser-guidedly targeted. Although I am not into job search,being professional,it makes sense to me as well.Making research on companies and dressings etc is essential for vendors as well.

Keep up the good work.

Ali Akbar,what is exact definition of plagiarism?I am just asking for my knowledge. I could not see anything like ‘chchapa’. Recommend

http://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammadtanveer Muhammad Tanveer

I found thid article highly informative and productive. Personally, I have attended sessions of Mr. Hamad. He is a true professional & helper. The devotion which he gives to his work is appreciable. This article is another good-work by hamad bhai. we should follow these points which he has mentioned based on his experience. This will truly help us in succeeding. After our education, our priority is of course job. The current situation in pak regarding jobs is a point of concern. As we complete our degrees but we dont know who to start, what do to & where to go? First job is a first step to the ladder of succes which needs to be given maximum attention. I believe by following above points for sure we can get something out of it.

Hey one thing I forgot to mention regarding LinkedIn which Mr Hammad recommended for beginners. I found my publisher of The Craft of Selling “YOURSELF” from LinkedIn and book was published in USA. Recommend

Thanks for the guidance,this wil definately help me in future.as i have heared that job interview is not an easy job but i am sure, your tips will help me alot.I will follow these and I will share these tips with my friends.
Thank you for writing such a helpful article.Recommend

Emad Sohail

I think the blog is written in good intention, which is to show hope-maps to depressed youth, who are in search of clutching hope. If your aim is to catch fish, its a free world, you can do that by screwing the reader’s attention, well done!

Therefore, hats off to the blogger who gathered up useful things in the vary sight of the hopeless youth. As far as plagiarism goes there is a saying “To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research”. We need to bring good stuff for our readers’ attention, for instance, I have this useful website for the youth: http://www.jobfree4u.com/

If you have better suggestions than this blog, then bring it here and serve youth.Recommend

Munazza Sajwani

Being Head Hunter myself, the article is of great value for job seekers. Good work Tribune,good work Hammad.Recommend

Ali Akbar

@Faryal Chaudhry @Ashraf Chaudhry:
Please wait for my next comment and let’s not jump over to conclusion. I understand that you have a soft corner for the blogger which might be out of some odd reason, but please wait for my next comment as it is awaited moderation. I wonder if you even checked the link I had suggested earlier.. DUDE???Recommend

Nasir Jamal

@ Ali Akbar. see how many peoples like thats means they never visit your givin link ok you say this is copy but atleast read your first comments how hard words you use for writer i think you dnt know him he is professional tranner to realted subject and see never reply to your comment thats clearly say he is and all other peoples are not agreed with you. cool down and think hope now you understand what i am telling you.Recommend

Huzaifa Shabbir Hussain

@Ali Akber, no hardfeelings it was just my thought which I shared, you have freedom to speak, but friend my point here is about giving the youth of Pakistan a way forward either it can be in any form, how many of us here have given time in compiling this 20 pointers list and as you are mentioning about middle East, friend all these points are generic point which are applicable for every applicant before going for interview!! Even you, me and every applicant!!Recommend

http://www.facebook.com/AshrafChaudhrySalesTrainer Ashraf Chaudhry

@Ali Akbar, Yes I agree with you that I have soft corner for a blogger. There is a reason. Blogging/writing is not every body’s cup of tea. You sacrifice your family time to share something of value free of charge for the betterment of society. Should I have hard feelings for blogger? It takes guts and courage to see the good in society which is littered with sewerage thoughts. Criticism/fault finding is the most favorite hobby of ‘nothing-doings’.

Gentleman, you have enough time to dissipate. While time is not my money, it is my life. I will spend a minute only to encourage someone rather than stifle someone’s initiative. Recommend

http://www.twspk.com Omair Ali

I am so delighted to see such useful tips. In Pakistan internet use for job search is increasing. I am a web developer and love Rozee.pk . Write has rightly suggested the use of technology for job search. Not many people know that even Twitter can be effectively used for job search. Wonderful blog Sir.Recommend

Zishan Jafri

Wonderful tips, the links provided are so useful for youth to understand how to find jobs in Pakistan and abroad. Congrats to Express Tribune for publishing such an excellent information for us.Recommend

Mr. Ali Akbar, I believe your comment is justified to some extent. While analyzing the situation here, it seems most of the commentators are either inspired by Mr. Siddiqui or are closely linked with him. Nevertheless, people should learn how to respond to to criticism and believe in fair play. Its a free media and everyone has the right to voice their opinions. I am shocked to see all fingers pointed at you, which justifies your claim of the job situation and hiring process in Pakistan. What a country we live in!!! Zero Tolerance!!!Recommend

fatimah

Informative and well written. I have a plagiarism checker and this one comes up as original content sorry to disappoint you Ali Akbar! I think he’s taken the level of job hunt up a notch and strayed from the traditional route followed by most locals. Recommend

Tayyiba Iram

WoW Thats great Hammad. Really its so concise and informative. Congrats for writing this and congrats to all those job seekers for whom this would be beneficial.Recommend

Majid Shabbir

I greatly appreciate your tremendous efforts in guiding the youngsters for getting jobs, which at present are under tremendous pressure due to a number of factors. I understand that a good advice always acts as a source of inspiration for others and the way you are acting as a torch light, especially for youth, is highly commendable. These tips are really very useful and everyone can get help while seeking a job, which normally youngsters ignore and eventually fail to get a good job. I am surprised on Mr.Ali Akbar’s comments and putting blame of plagiarism. I don’t know when we will be out of blame game, leaving the policy of criticizing others without knowing potential and abilities of the persons, who are blamed for nothing. Everybody knows that tips for jobs are usually similar, and I believe write up of Mr.Hammad Siddique cannot be taken in the context of plagiarism. I would advise that we should always try to look at the brighter side, instead of finding something extra special from darker side.Recommend

http://www.wateen.com Irshad Ahmad

I strongly agree with you sir, in my early career I was not did this activity even we spoke to candidates visits us for jobs , should know about companies ,product, its market and competition etc.
Thanks for sharing.Recommend

A very comprehensive and well put word of advice. It should put the fears and anxiety of fresh graduates to rest. Hats off to you Mr. Siddiqui Recommend

Faisal Rahim

I fully agree with Hammad’s views. Keep up the good work Hammad.Recommend

Fatima

@Anas: I advise females to stay away from this site — I had a really bad experience, there are some very sleezy Arab hiring manager perverts here and they are very condescending towards Pakistanis in general.Recommend

Alliyah

Great article and very useful/practical tips. I found my first job on rozee and have been using it ever since.Recommend

I am unable to understand why people are fighting over the orignality of this blog. I looked at the link provided by Ali Akbar, I did not find anything common in these two texts other than some conceptual commonalities.

Overall this apprear some nice tips for job seekers. Moreover, people are reading this blog, I am sure some will benifits from this as well!Recommend

very informative article regarding JOB hunting, the main points will guide to get a better JOB in market, thanks for sharing Sir…Recommend

Naima Ansari

brilliant piece… it is definitely going to help all those who are looking for jobs…and of course the tips you mentioned are going to help all of us for getting jobs..Recommend

https://www.facebook.com/muhammadtaimoorkhan Muhammad Taimoor

I must say, u got this article exclusively designed for a guy like me, Almost done with the degree. These days, about to submit my final copy of dissertation. And what more i am moving to Dubai next month to have some walk in interviews as well as currently applying to some job openings at bayt.com as well as khaleej times. Thanks a lot for the guidelines, rather a checklist for me. Well, i m wondering now, if i was among youngsters who contacted you some time in the past to get help on job seeking:D Good Job, Jazakallah!Recommend

Nabeel Ahmed

Awesome post Mr.Hammad, I have recently completed my MBA and these tips will surely help me get through the Interview process. The salary tip is great as most of us freshers quote expected salaries which sometimes works negatively for us. Linked in profiles also helps you great deal to know about the interviewer.Recommend

Muhammad Saad

Awesome guidelines for youngsters. Thanks Mr. Hammad for sharing such informative guidelines. I think that LinkedIn is a very useful tool for job seekers and now people should really start using LinkedIn like they use facebook because this tool can really help youngsters in future.Recommend

sania zulfiqar

Its really a great effort Mr. Hammad, I would like to appreciate you for writing such an informative article.Recommend

Umme Habiba

you compile very helpful trip for youngsters who are seeking jobs. Recommend

Aisha

@Fatima:
So you do not recommend Bayt.com Is it? After going through this article, I was about to apply through that website. Who should I trust? The writer or you?Recommend

Sajid Ali

These are excellent guideline for job seekers. They must read it before going for interviews and also recommend to others. Normally job seekers have to face difficulties in getting success in interviews because of lack of proper preparation for interview. I have interviewed many people and found that they appeared without any homework and thus remained unsuccessful. Though a few of them were talented but they unfortunately missed the opportunity. I must recommend that universities and colleges must give such guidelines and also let the students know about the use of latest tools like Facebook, twitter etc. I congratulate Mr.Hammad for this excellent work. Recommend

Humaira Zaman

Good blog! But can be better one, if the blogger could have shared success stories..Recommend

Saima Majeed

Your blog is motivating and supportive to the unemployed youth, thank you for writing.Recommend

http://www.corporateandme.com Helen

It is most beneficial to see social media and the internet mentioned more than once. More and more, and I believe worldwide, it’s no longer just about finding interview opportunities, but actually being trained to create them. For one thing, this requires a very strong on-line presence. But for many, young and old, this task can prove daunting for different reasons. And so the need for good career professionals. Great list worth sharing! Regards, HelenRecommend

http://humorcarbons.com Mateen Hamza

Where were you Hammad when i started looking for my first job :)
Your 20 pointer list is nothing less than “Khul Ja Summ Summ” and inshallah will be opening doors for fresh and not so fresh job seekers.

You won’t believe it, but interestingly there are lot of graduates out there who still don’t know what is LinkedIn. They simply have no idea how to look for a job using social media.

Very informative, supportive and beneficial artical regarding job hunting.It is not only a guideline but also a check list.Keep motivating and guiding us!!!Recommend

http://www.greenwhitepakistan.org Rohan D.

It is an excellent article Hammad sb. This is what I also talk about. Its the internet we spend most of our time with. And Google is something that has become not only a part of our life, but I would say The Life. With such immense power of this search engine we can do wonders in our life. But many people don’t know the How part.
I would thank you on behalf of the people who it has helped in gaining the hopes again. Thumbs up and keep up the good work. God bless youRecommend

Hammad Siddiqui

Dear Readers this blog has been picked-up by The Employment Daily, a paper.li issue published from the US.

Thanks for appreciating. I will be regularly contributing to Express Tribune blogs. Keep watching!Recommend

A.E. Snyder

Use the Internet to locate local non-profit groups seeking volunteer leaders that you can use to build up your resume. For example, my local club is seeking a Financial Director, Web site Director and Communications Director. Imagine a first time job seeker having those titles on their resume!Recommend

fahnan

Very well written, for those who are starting to get into the job market be able and willing to do internship, you need a base to build your carrier on, also don’t be shy to socialize on and off the work scene, if they remember you well from your sociability skills chances are they might call you up for an opening in the futureRecommend

sumaira

Thanks alot for providing us with your good suggestions. I am a recent MBA will surely follow your guidelines.Recommend

Asma Majeed

Very useful information. I am a fresh graduate and I will keep these in mind while applying for Job. Thanks for sharing.Recommend

Nadia

In the light of your blog posted here Sir, I would like to say that in the present scenario students or youngster are facing lots of problems in getting jobs.A proper guidance should be given to them so that they can observe and select the right field which suits them. And the process you have explanied will definately enlightening them to go upwards.

Its an article which is well focused for the young graduates in search of a job. Somehow the values in our society have been badly shaken and the youths actually believe that unless thay have a source they cannot find a job. Just look around you…..the companies are hiring, its only a matter of how you do the networking, which has been explained beautifully in this article. Even if there is a lead for a job, the succint points leading to follow-up net working your way through the corporate barries is an excellent guideline.

You deserve a lot of appreciation for writing such an informative blog. Excellent! Recommend

Muaz Moid

Please share this type of information at regular intervals, Good piece!!Recommend

Izda Ahmad

Its a very comprehensive and informative blog. Well done Mr. HammadRecommend

Dr. Hina Sohail

Its an informative blog for medical professionals as well, because most of us are handicap to the competitiveness of the industry due to an excuse of technological jargon. Thank you for spreading this awareness!Recommend

Erum Rehman

I’m going to motivate my students to study this blog and I think its a requirement of the day. Thank you for sharing such a valuable information. Recommend

Its time we youngsters start using Internet more constructively..amazing article sir!Recommend

Raza Abbas

Dear Mr. Hammad,

Thanks for sharing the article. Nicely written however the majority of jobs are found though networking this is a global and local strategy, I would recommend you focus to graduates
on how to do networking it is a skill that not many can do.

Hammad Siddiqui, this article will not only help new job seekers, but will also help those who are trying to get a better job / job switch, Great work, keep going.Recommend

Gul-E-Zehra Abbas

Very informative and well written. Will certainly share it with my students!Recommend

Zeeshan Lakhpaty

Very well written article Hammad and a must read for all young job seekers. You have rightly mention that checking out the profiles of the interviewer before going for an interview through Linkedin and other mediums play an important role. And also, it is essential to customize the resume for every position and the candidates should think like an employer that why they would hire them and resume is their first point of contact. And very true, networking is one of the key to success in job search; after all your network is your net worth!Recommend

Sumera

Excellent Sharing! The mentioned few points which we usually take for granted, can play a great role in the response of Yes or No. We mostly don’t know who is interviewing us and what the company does. I would request you to please share the response to some of the commonly asked questions for example I am always confused about what information should I share when they ask “Tell me about yourself”. Thanks for the guidance.Recommend

Saad Hassan Khan

@Vijay:
True and I at least have never heard of any one who got a good
job through these sitesRecommend

http://www.spelt.org/pk lubna

Great writeup and tips for job saekers. Athough I am not looking for a job but the

youngsters running after head-hunters will certainly find this guidelines helpful.

Shocking that the moderator is not posting my comments. Wonder if somehow this blog is to publish only praises for the blogger or to show people the rosy picture only. I am sure at least you the moderator is reading this. Its people like you who are the culprits and do not promote justice and fair play. Wonder if you are another victim of politics??? Nevertheless, there are people like me in Pakistan who will find other channels, unbiased and fair, and at least try to deliver the message where audience is impartial. Wonder even if comments posted are genuine as I am not able to find comments other than all praises for the writer.Shocking that the moderator is not posting my comments. Wonder if somehow this blog is to publish only praises for the blogger or to show people the rosy picture only. I am sure at least you the moderator is reading this. Its people like you who are the culprits and do not promote justice and fair play. Wonder if you are another victim of politics??? Nevertheless, there are people like me in Pakistan who will find other channels, unbiased and fair, and at least try to deliver the message where audience is impartial. Wonder even if comments posted are genuine as I am not able to find comments other than all praises for the writer.Recommend

http://www.abcwi.org Kelly Tourdot

Thanks, Hammad for your insights. Trying to get a job in this market is tough and having a well laid out plan is exactly what you need. If you follow through with these steps you not only will secure a job but find one you truly love. Recommend

Lisa Formanek

Hammad, The information you provided can be used by anyone in the world job hunting, especially in the United States of America! I will be sure to pass along! Congrats Hammad once again, for your blog always delivers informative and precise information! Recommend

Why do we push our youth to get a job? I know not everyone can be a self made business person, but whats wrong with new ideas and capitizing on them. We need better work ethics and better educations, to help our youth to succeed. We need capitilism to work in the U.S. and if we capitlise on new ideas, those people will create jobs.Recommend

Atif Hussain

Very informative and nicely written article, if we follow all these rules i must say it makes a difference and give an edge to that candidate among others. Linkedin surely helps alot.Recommend

Carol White

How true every one of these points are. I may have missed it – but, one more – be on time for the interview!
I have been interviewing/hiring for many years and so many of these points are just basic, common sense, but are not taught anywhere in our schools. I encourage anyone seeking a job to take a close look at all of these points and do not think “oh, that doesn’t apply to me with this job” – they apply to every job interview.
Great post Hannad.Recommend